Bringing home a meaningful souvenir from a trip is such a pleasure: if the process of buying it was fun and special, perhaps involving a chat with an interesting local, and then you have an object you can enjoy at home which constantly reminds you of your trip, then it's a perfect scenario.

In Episode 222 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast I talk with travellers about their own meaningful shopping experiences abroad, starting off with Patti Lefkos who has a brilliant story to tell about a souvenir she bought in Nepal - including a live demonstration!

Next, I chat with Lindsay Williams. She's obsessed with learning foreign languages and this passion flows through to what she likes to buy when she's travelling, too.

Finally, I'm excited to speak with my friend Lola Akinmade-Åkerström who has a new pandemic-induced project on the go, involving a way to help local artisans and guides in countries particularly affected by the drop-off in tourism numbers and help us have an authentic shopping experience at the same time.

Links:

Patti Lefkos - https://www.pattishaleslefkos.com books and her not-for-profit
Lindsay Williams’ site Lindsay Does Languages - https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/
Lola’s Local Purse - https://www.localpurse.com
Great Travel Souvenirs - Episode 42 - notaballerina.com/42
Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers
Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/222

Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/

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Talkline | March 11, 2025